Sunday, February 21, 2016

UK: Anti-Semitism a major problem in UK universities, says former co-chair of Oxford University Labour Club

The row reflects a wider problem, according to David Klemperer, a former co-chair of OULC. “Anti-Semitism is a major problem in Britain, with increasing numbers of anti-Semitic incidents reported,” he said.

It is a particular problem on campus, where Jewish students often feel “threatened and vulnerable,” and have “insufficient support” from student unions, claimed the undergraduate at St John’s College, who served as a co-chair last year.

In a motion supported by Oxford University Student Union (OUSU) President Becky Howe, which was debated during a meeting of the OUSU Council last night [Weds], he added: “Jewish students are the only minority group which is not directly represented by any of the NUS liberation campaigns.”

Mr Klemperer’s motion stated: “More needs to be done by institutions of higher and further education and by students’ unions to tackle anti-Semitism on campus.”

The row which has engulfed OULC was sparked by the resignation of Alex Chalmers, a co-chair of the club, on 15 February - after the club decided to support an Israel Apartheid Week.